On the 27th of October, 2023, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) orchestrated a series of search operations across multiple locations in Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Hubballi (Karnataka), and Mumbai (Maharashtra). This concerted effort was part of an intensive investigation into an illicit online betting case.
The genesis of this investigation traces back to an FIR filed by the Madhya Pradesh Police, spotlighting the menace of illegal online betting. The ED’s inquiry uncovered a sophisticated network operating in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and various other regions of the country, utilizing platforms such as Dhangames and other Satta Matka Apps. These platforms were not only enticing unsuspecting masses but also facilitating illicit financial transactions.
Dhangames and similar apps provided users with the means to register using their mobile numbers, transferring funds seamlessly to Dhangames wallet via UPI for engaging in betting activities. The illegal proceeds generated through these Satta Matka Apps underwent a complex process of money laundering. Lokesh Verma, the mastermind behind this operation, exploited the KYC documents of unsuspecting individuals to open bogus bank accounts in their names. These accounts served as a front for running the betting operations, with the criminally earned funds subsequently funnelled through a convoluted network and utilized for acquiring tangible assets, particularly immovable properties.
The search operations conducted by the ED yielded a trove of incriminating evidence, including documents, digital devices, and a substantial amount of unaccounted cash totalling Rs. 46.5 lacks. This discovery marks a significant stride in the ongoing investigation, which continues to delve deeper into the intricate web of illegal activities orchestrated by the perpetrators behind the online betting racket. As the ED intensifies its efforts to expose the full extent of this criminal enterprise, it underscores the imperative need to combat the multifaceted challenges posed by illegal online betting in the contemporary landscape.
